This effect was also supported by immunohistochemistry where leiomyoma surgical specimens demonstrated decreased amount of FN1 and VCAN on UPA treatment.
We identified ADAMTS-cleaved versican in myometrium and leiomyoma and ADAMTS messenger RNAs and examined the effect of VCAN siRNA on smooth muscle differentiation and expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors.
Our results indicate that tranilast reduced fibronectin, collagen 1A1, versican, and activin-A expression in leiomyoma and myometrial cells, demonstrating its potential as an antifibrotic therapy for human leiomyomas.
Myometrial cells in 3D culture responded to TGF-β3 with increased gene expression of collagen 1A1, fibronectin, and versican, and decreased expression of dermatopontin gene recapitulating the leiomyoma phenotype.
The glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-rich versican variants were elevated in leiomyoma versus myometrial tissue: specifically V0 (4.27 +/- 1.12) and V1 (2.01 +/- 0.27).